Bad Weather and Spending Too Much

It's been raining an awful lot at my place, which I know is nothing compared to the tornados that some of my blogging buddies have been suffering. But I have been feeling a bit housebound and the wet washing has been piling up!

I escaped the house to engage in a little "retail therapy" today. For me, shopping is only fun if I'm spending money. The more the better. Boy do I love spending money!

For a while now, Josh's bedroom has been a complete disaster area. Chris and I have decided to try to address it by getting him some new bedroom furniture.

This is the bedroom suite we have ordered for Josh, except we have chosen to get it in all white. We've also ordered a small wardrobe with some hanging space and shelves. We are getting it on an "interest free plan". I'm well aware that you must be very careful with these plans; you pay nothing up front and have small monthly repayments and it all feels so easy. But if you don't pay off more than the minimum monthly repayment you get into trouble when the interest free period ends and suddenly you're being charged a bajillion per cent on the balance owing. Lucky I'm so sensible and this will not happen to me :)

We're also going to repaint, so we've allowed Josh to look at some paint charts. He likes the look of a high voltage orange called "Energy". Believe me, this boy does not need anything that looks like Fanta in his bedroom! We already have trouble getting him to go to sleep before us at night. Seriously, Chris and I are having trouble finding "special mummy and daddy time" because I'm usually asleep before Josh is.

We're also letting Alana pick some colours to repaint her room, especially after she told us that she felt like "the less favoured child" when we were picking out Josh's furniture.

I love picking out colours, but Chris has long given up on the idea of me actually doing anything helpful like painting. But it's super fun to look through paint charts and I tend to get a bit over-excited and imagine buying all new bed linen and curtains and lamps and throw cushions and... you get the idea!

I may also have "accidently" bought myself a couple of books. And visited the library to borrow a few more. What can be better than curling up with a good book when it's cold and rainy outside?

I couldn't resist Charlaine Harris' latest Dead Reckoning today.

It's the latest in the Sookie Stackhouse series which has been re-imagined as the True Blood TV series. Speaking of which, I believe it's only 23 days until the new series starts! But who's counting...

So, how's the weather at your place?

Done any shopping lately?

Dead in the Family (with pictures of Eric!)

Once upon a time there was a newbie blogger who didn't know much, but knew she loved reading.

While clicking from blog to blog, she discovered Beth Fish Reads. This (primarily) book reviewing blogger was about to host a challenge - the Sookie Stackhouse Reading Challenge.

What was involved in this reading challenge? Simply to read all the books in Charlaine Harris' Sookie Stackhouse series, post reviews, and link them up.

Well, the newbie blogger thought that it sounded like fun; she'd never read anything by Harris, and thought that the challenge might be a good way to discover some new blogs and make some bloggy friends. And so the journey began...

I've just finished reading Dead in the Family, the latest installment in the series. I guess you can say that I got exactly what I expected.

I love these books, to me they're a fun, slightly trashy read (I mean this in the nicest possible way!) that guarantee a fast moving plot and some hot sex :) They're just right for in bed or in the bath, and I'm sure they'd be equally entertaining at the beach, or on a plane, train or bus!

Ever since jumping on board with the TrueBlood TV series, I have the perfect face (and body!) to put with Eric as I'm reading...

Sorry, where was I?

Anyway...what can I say about Dead in the Family? As usual, Harris throws as much plot and intrigue at the book as possible - a little too much for me to completely understand on my first reading. We have Bill recovering (or not) from silver poisoning and needing an infusion from a blood sibling, Eric's maker arriving in town with an unruly vampire child in tow, and vampires attempting to kill, or at least overthrow Eric to gain power. And that's just the vampires.

In addition, the government is making moves to introduce a werewolf register, and the local pack are having issues. There also seem to be some fairies on the loose, not to mention a fresh body buried on Sookie's land.

When will Sookie ever be able to relax and enjoy a normal life? No, I didn't think so...

This episode explores the idea of a blood bond, the bond that exists between vampires (and their human companions) who exchange blood, in greater detail. And for the first time, Sookie toys with the idea of what it would be like to become a vampire.

It's very difficult to review this book without including spoilers, and to be honest, it's hard to find anything that makes it stand out particularly from any of the other books in the series. I guess that's part of the appeal of reading series fiction, we don't have to work too hard as each of the books is fairly similar to the others.

So, a year on, I have fulfilled the requirements of the Sookie Stackhouse Reading Challenge, have discovered an author that I enjoy, and have "met" many new bloggy buddies. And now I'm off to link up this challenge wrap up post at Beth Fish Reads link page, so I'll leave you with another picture of Eric...

grave secret by Charlaine Harris

grave secret by Charlaine Harris.

Borrowed from my local public library.

**** "Satisfying"

From the inside cover: "Lightning-struck sleuth Harper Connelly and her stepbrother Tolliver take a break from looking for the dead to visit the two little girls they both think of as sisters. But, as always happens when they travel to Texas, memories of their horrible childhood resurface...To make matters worse, Tolliver learns from his older brother that their father is out of jail and trying to reestablish contact with other family members. Tolliver wants nothing to do with the man - but he may not have a choice in the matter. Soon, family secrtes ensnare them both, as Harper finally discovers what happened to her missing sister, Cameron, so many years before. And what she finds out will change her world forever..."

grave secret is the fourth book in Harris' Harper Connelly series, which I love. I have reviewed each of the previous books in the series - you can read the reviews by clicking on each book's name.

grave sight

grave surprise

an ice cold grave

I was waiting on this book for a long time. It was so overdue that the library almost listed it as lost, but eventually it turned up and I got the call that it was ready for me to pick up. I've been working hard on an educational research assignment for my Masters, so it's been sitting on my bedside table for a week or so, taunting me! Ah, what the hell, I decided to give myself a break from the study and treat myself!

As expected, I really enjoyed this continuation of the story of Harper Connelly and her stepbrother Tolliver, who travel the country finding and identifying the dead using Harper's supernatural gift. As usual, there was a mystery to solve, and I also enjoyed the developing relationships between the characters. It was also extremely satisfying to get an answer about what happened to Harper's sister Cameron.

These books aren't demanding, they can be read in a single session if you have the time. But the storylines keep you guessing, the characters are engaging, and - you guessed it - I can't wait for the next one!

A quick check of Charlaine Harris' website shows that there is nothing new in the pipeline for Harper as yet, however the next Sookie Stackhouse book, Dead in the Family, is due out in May. You can read the first chapter of it (yes, of course I did!) here.

Wrapping up the Sookie Stackhouse Reading Challenge

Thanks so much to the delightful Beth at Beth Fish Reads for hosting the Sookie Stackhouse Reading Challenge and introducing me to these enjoyable books. Their author, Charlaine Harris, has written other series also, as well as some short stories, so I'm definitely glad that I've found her!

From Dead to Worse by Charlaine Harris. Borrowed from my local public library. **** "Great, as expected."

I'm having a little bit of trouble with this review. I read this one, and the last one Dead and Gone, immediately after one another in the space of a day and a half, and I'm finding it hard to remember where one finished and the other started!

Dead and Gone by Charlaine Harris.

Borrowed from by local public library.

**** "Fun!"












So, I'm not wanting to give away too much to those of you who will be wanting to read these books for yourselves. Lets just say this much - the weres are battling in From Dead to Worse and the fairies are battling in Dead and Gone, and Sookie manages to be right in the middle of it all. Bill is still professing undying love for Sookie, but her bond with Eric is strengthening. Not to be left out, Quinn and Alcide both make appearances in these books also. As usual, all Sookie wants is a peaceful life and a man in her bed that she can rely on to hang around for a while, and as usual Sookie ends up in danger and physically and emotionally hurt.

If you haven't tried the Sookie Stackhouse books, but like fast paced easy reads that are just a little bit trashy (!), then I recommend that you give these books a try.

All Together Dead

It's not too late to sign up to take part in the Sookie Stackhouse Reading Challenge. Head over to Beth Fish Reads and check it out.

Charlaine Harris' Southern Vampire Series are listed below, with links to my review posts.

Dead Until Dark (and here)

Living Dead in Dallas

Club Dead

Dead to the World

Dead as a Doornail

Definitely Dead

All Together Dead

From Dead to Worse

Dead and Gone

And so we move on to my review for All Together Dead by Charlaine Harris.

Borrowed from my local public library.

**** "A great fun read."

From the back of the book: "Betrayed by her longtime vampire love, Louisiana cocktail waitress Sookie Stackhouse must now not only deal with a possible new man in her life - the oh-so-handsome shape-shifter Quinn - but also contend with a long-planned vampire summit..."

I found this instalment in the series pleasantly satisfying. A lusty sex scene (no, I won't tell you who!), a declaration of undying love (or at least desire), and a mysterious blood exchange ritual leading to an irrevocable bond.

Of course, as usual, there's death and destruction, murder and mayhem - perhaps a little too much for me. The ins and outs of the vampire summit, the sheer number of villians, and the complex relationships between all the different players were difficult for me to get my head around. I still don't think I quite understood what happened!

Nonetheless, an entertaining diversion that provides Sookie with plenty of scope for adventure in future episodes.

Definitely Dead by Charlaine Harris

I am a very bad person. I am struggling to complete two uni assignments, offloading my children to my parents to be entertained for the holidays, not doing any housework...but still I manage to read Definitely Dead by Charlaine Harris.

Book 6 in the Southern Vampires or Sookie Stackhouse series, and still loving it. From the inside cover notes:

"...Sookie Stackhouse...her cousin Hadley - a consort of the vampire queen of New Orleans...as unexpected heir to Hadley's estate, Sookie discovers the inheritance definitely comes with a risk. Someone doesn't want Sooke looking too deeply into Hadley's past..."

In this instalment, Sookie heads to New Orleans to settle her cousin's estate and meet with the vampire queen to hammer out the details of her attendance at the upcoming vampire summit. What seems like a relatively simple assignment quickly becomes more complicated. Sookie and her date (you'll have to read it to find out who!) are attacked by newly bitten weres after a pleasant night at the theatre. A half demon is killed in Sookie's yard while attempting to deliver a message from the queen's legal representative. And the dead body in Hadley's apartment closet turns out to be not so dead, when he rises for the first time as a newborn vampire as night falls.

I thoroughly enjoyed this episode in the Sookie Stackhouse series. The love interest (read it to find out who!) was satisfying! And I'm loving Amelia, a young witch who becomes friends with Sookie and helps her solve the mystery of the newborn vampire.

I also liked the way Harris wrapped up some loose ends that had been dangling for the last couple of books, like "What brought Bill to Bon Temps?" and "Will the Pelts ever give up looking for Debbie?".

I'm definitely looking forward to the next book All Together Dead. I'll try to wait until my assignments are submitted...

Dead as a Doornail by Charlaine Harris

This is the cover art for the copy of Dead as a Doornail by Charlaine Harris that I borrowed from my local library. Not the True Blood cover art, and not the other illustrations that I love so much. I don't like this version at all, I don't think it fits with the feel of the books.

Anyway, what about what's inside the cover?

From the back of the book:

"Sookie Stackhouse enjoys her life, mostly. She's a great cocktail waitress in a fun bar; she has a love life, albeit as complicated as ever, and most people have come to terms with her telepathy.

Problem is, Sookie wants a quiet life, but things just seem to happen to her and her friends.

Now her brother Jason's aout to turn into a were-panther for the first time. She could deal with that, but her normal sisterly concern turns to cold fear when a sniper sets his deadly sights on the local were population..."

Yes, it's another action-packed instalment in the adventures of Sookie Stackhouse and friends! As usual, there is murder and mayhem, supernatural creatures, and Sookie's lovelife is never simple.

I've said it before, I'll say it again, I love Sookie's "voice" in these books. Here's a sample:

"Claudine smiled impishly. "I was spending the night with Sookie," she said, winking. In a second, we were the objects of fascinated scrutiny from every male within hearing..."

I enjoyed the fact that Harris slows down for a moment, in this book, to explain a little more about the ins and outs of the shape-shifter and were societies. And unlike some other reviewers, I don't mind the fact that Sookie is swamped with admirers at every turn! Sadly, Sookie doesn't get lucky in this instalment, though she does make a start with someone she has yet to "do the deed" with!

For me, these sort of books are what I call "comfort reading". When we're feeling a bit down, some of us break out the ice-cream, some run a hot bath, and some reach for a Sookie Stackhouse book. (And some do all three!)

Now I'm off to the library to pick up Definitely Dead!

Dead to the World

I have just finished reading Dead to the World by Charlaine Harris, the fourth book in the Southern Vampires series, and my fourth book for the Sookie Stackhouse Reading Challenge hosted by Beth Fish Reads.

I have enjoyed all the books, but so far this one is my favourite! Warning - SPOILERS!

From the back of the book:

"...when she comes across a naked vampire on the way home from work, she doesn't just drive on by. He hasn't got a clue who he is, but Sookie has: Eric looks just as scary and sexy - and dead - as the day she met him. But now he has amnesia, he's sweet, vulnerable, and in need of Sookie's help - because whoever took his memory now wants his life..."

Now I was the first to applaud when Sookie took a vow of abstinence (from vampires) at the end of Club Dead. I cheered her on for deciding to put her own health and safety first for a change. But all along I knew neither she or I could last for long without a little vampire action in her life! Cue Eric, all scared and sweet and in need of a little TLC...

What I love about this book:

Good old Sookie - gotta love her! She's too responsible and helpful for her own good, always ending up in the thick of any trouble that's going around.

Shapeshifters and vampires working together...just like Twilight, but different!

URST. Now bear with me here. I am a strong believer in the concept that for any long-standing series to endure, there must be URST (un-resolved sexual tension) between two main characters. Right back to the days of Remington Steele (loved that show!), I have watched and enjoyed TV series in which I sooooo wanted the two main characters to get together. (Think Bones). The same thing applies in a book series. Now those of you who have read Dead to the World may be wondering where the "un-resolved" part fits in here. But that's the beauty of the amnesia device used in this book. Because if the sexual tension is resolved, but you can't remember it, then it doesn't count!

What wasn't so good about this book:

The cheesy sex scenes. I think Charlaine Harris writes these with her tongue firmly in her cheek, but they're still a bit cringe-inducing.

Dead to the World is thoroughly enjoyable and highly recommended. I have the next book on reserve at the library!

1. Tai chi for dummies

I went to my regular tai chi class today, and managed to drag along a friend to watch (I'm trying to convince her to join). I think it would be great for her because she has health issues and also tends to let stress get the better of her. Listen to me! I've been letting stress get the better of me this week, when I should have been practising my tai chi. Sometimes I'm a bit of a slow learner!

Tai chi reminds me to breathe deeply, to stand or sit comfortably with my weight balanced evenly, and to relax my shoulders. It reminds me of my connection to the universe, and the energy that is pulsing through everything. It reminds me to be mindful of what I am doing right now. When I get stressed, I tend to be "too busy" to practise. This is, of course, when I really need to practise most!

2. All about information services

Topic 5 of ETL501 is called "Information services to staff and students", one of the core activities of the teacher librarian. Some issues I will be grappling with include the key factors that the TL must consider before offering an information service, the use of pathfinders, how to evaluate the effectivenss of the information services that you provide, how to conduct a reference interview, likely problems if offering a digital reference service, the key areas of information services and their order of importance, particular or special needs, and providing students with help regarding information literacy skills.

Whew! I received a lovely compliment from my friend Kathryn the other day. She said I seemed to be "interrogating the topics with passion" and "engaging with the issues". Awesome! I have my reading material ready to get stuck into it.

3. TrueBlood vs the books

I have been participating in the Sookie Stackhouse reading challenge (go to Beth Fish Reads and click on the Sookie tab at the top of the page for more info). At the moment I'm about half way through book four, Dead to the World, which is just as much fun as the first three were!

What's not to love? A lovable heroine, more than enough choice in love interests, action, the supernatural... These books don't take themselves too seriously. They don't pretend to be anything more than a bit of fun!

The TrueBlood series, in contrast, seems darker and more serious. To me, it has a completely different tone. Some of this is because the series doesn't have the first person narrative like the books. We don't see everything from Sookie's quirky point of view. But some of it, I think, is because the TV producers thought they'd make more money from something seriously scary and seriously sexy, so moved away from the tongue-in-cheek style of author Charlaine Harris.

But what do I know? This is my opinion, I'd love to hear yours...

Happy Birthday to Me!

It's my birthday today, and this is a picture of the beautiful bracelet that my husband and children gave me. Gorgeous isn't it! I may have had a hand in steering them in the right direction...(junk mail does come in handy sometimes!)

They also bought me a copy of Dead to the World by Charlaine Harris, number 4 in the Southern Vampires/Sookie Stackhouse series. Hooray! Better yet, my husband and I have started watching True Blood together. It's always better to have someone to share the fun with. One of these days I'll get around to writing some more reviews for the Sookie Stackhouse challenge...

Challenge Progress

I have signed up for 2 reading challenges: The Sookie Stackhouse reading challenge hosted by Beth Fish Reads and the Everything Austen challenge hosted by Stephanie's Written Word.

So how am I progressing...

The Sookie Stackhouse challenge requires me to read all the books in Charlaine Harris' Southern Vampires series. Here is a list of the books, with links to reviews of the ones I have finished:

Dead Until Dark, I actually posted two non-review reviews on this one!

Living Dead in Dallas

Club Dead

Dead to the World

Dead as a Doornail

Definitely Dead

All Together Dead

From Dead to Worse

Dead and Gone

So far I am at 3/9 for the Sookie Stackhouse challenge.

The Everything Austen challenge requires me to 'experience' (read, watch, listen to...) 6 Austen related books, movies etc.

So far I have only read Lost in Austen by Emma Campbell Webster. So I am 1/6 in the Everything Austen challenge.

I can't wait until I feel just a little bit more 'on top of things' with my uni work, so I can allow myself a treat, and read something for fun!

The End of Recreational Reading as I Know It

...or...Will Club Dead by Charlaine Harris be the last book I read for fun until November???

That's right folks, the party's over. Semester 2 begins on Monday, and I have some serious reading to do. So far I have read 3 out of the 9 titles in the Sookie Stackhouse Reading Challenge. Will I progress any further between now and October 26th, when my last assignment for the semester is due? Only time will tell...

In the meantime, let's talk about Sookie's latest adventures in Club Dead.

Sookie Stackhouse, pretty barmaid, telepath, and girlfriend of vampire Bill, is on a mission. She must visit 'Club Dead', a hangout for vamps, weres and other supernatural creatures, to search for clues as to the mysterious disappearance of Bill. Then, she must rescue Bill from the clutches of an evil vampire ex-girlfriend. All the while dodging biker werewolves, a jealous shape-shifter named Debbie, and two gorgeous men (one vampire, one werewolf) that want to get into her pants. No wonder she's tired...

And I got a bit tired too. A bit tired of Sookie being only inches from death, or dismemberment, or an unwise sexual adventure (!), every few pages. A bit tired of Sookie never spending any time at home, or work, or with humans!

Don't get me wrong, I'm still a fan. I'm still very keen to keep reading my way through the series. I'm still a fan of the supernatural. I'm just ready for an episode that has a bit more balance, and a bit less heart-thumping action. And I don't like it when Sookie's all beat-up and in pain.

I'm interested to hear what others think...

Perfect Winter Reading

I've been seeing a lot on blogs lately about perfect "beach books" that are fun, quick and easy reads just right for summer vacation.

But here in Australia, it's winter. What I'm looking for are perfect "winter reads" - you know the thing - something just right to curl up in bed with when the weather outside is dreary.

I must admit, there's not much curling up in bed going on here. My kids are home on school holidays at the moment, and one of them has the flu. To top it off, my car is being repaired after a minor accident, so I'm trapped in my house with children that are either sick, or bored, or both!

But on to the good news! Living Dead in Dallas by Charlaine Harris, second in the 'Southern Vampires' or 'Sookie Stackhouse' series, is a perfect winter read.

Sookie is a pretty waitress in a bar with the gift (curse?) of being able to read other people's thoughts and emotions. She also has a vampire boyfriend, a shapeshifter boss, and a job to do: she is the official 'telepathic detective' to the local vampire leader, responsible for helping to solve any vampire-related mysteries using her gift.

In Living Dead in Dallas, Sookie is 'lent out' (charming, I know, but that's vampires for you) to another nest of vampires living in Dallas, to help them solve the mystery of the disappearance of one of their members. And so begins the rollercoaster ride...

Living Dead in Dallas has a (human) murder mystery, an anti-vampire cult, a secret society of shapeshifters, a wild sex party and more! (What's not to love?) And though this series is sometimes billed as 'horror', Charlaine Harris writes with a tongue-in-cheek style that has the reader laughing rather than screaming.

In some ways, this series so far reminds me a little of Janet Evanovich's Stephanie Plum series. Lovable, quirky characters, and a mystery that's wrapped up by the end of each book.

If I have a complaint about Living Dead in Dallas, it's this: Charlaine Harris gives us just a taste of new characters, or developments in the overall plot, without expanding on them. It seems obvious to me that she's just introducing them with the plan of expanding in future books of the series. I would have enjoyed a little more depth to the novel, which could have been achieved by exploring one of the new developments in more detail. (Perhaps more about Barry? - I liked him!)

Overall, I enjoyed Living Dead in Dallas very much, and I can't wait for a copy of Club Dead to be ready for me at my local library.

Happy reading everyone, I'm going to check out some of the other reviews for this book at Beth Fish Reads now!

What I'm Reading

Currently reading: the host by Stephenie Meyer and Lost in Austen by Emma Campbell Webster

I know, I know, it's terrible to read more than one book at a time. I never do it! But Lost in Austen was ready to be picked up at the library and I just took a peek...

The subtitle of Lost in Austen is Create Your Own Jane Austen Adventure. It's a "choose your own adventure" book! Remember them? I do, I was at school when they first came out, and really captured the imagination of my friends and I. We used to write our own romantic versions on scraps of paper and distribute them during boring classes. We'd write up until an important decision had to be made, then let the reader tick the box that corresponded to their choice. (eg Tick here [ ] if Jessica wears her blue bikini to the pool party and here [ ] if she chooses her pink one piece swimsuit.) The reader would pass back the paper with their decision, then we'd write the next part of the story according to whichever decision they had made! (It's a wonder we learnt anything at school!)

From inside the book:

How to Play

This book is no ordinary book, and should not be read through from beginning to end. It contains many different adventures, and the path you take will depend on the choices you make along the way...your success will also depend on how well you do in the following five categories:your Accomplishments, Intelligence, Confidence, Connections and Fortune (which could mean either luck or money)....In order to increase your chances of marrying well you must try to improve your scores and gain more Connections and Accomplishments...

I found this completely irresistable, and started reading (playing) immediately!

On the "To Be Read" pile: Living Dead in Dallas by Charlaine Harris - can't wait, can't wait can't wait!!!

Leading in a Culture of Change by Michael Fullan (text for second semester - just arrived in the mail today)

the internet and information skills: a guide for teachers and school librarians by James E. Herring (also for uni)

On reserve at my local library: Club Dead by Charlaine Harris

The Rossetti Letter by Christi Phillips

Happy reading everyone!

Sookie vs Twilight

Welcome to my fellow reading challenge participants!

Because I don't write regular book reviews, I've decided to post again in regard to Dead Until Dark by Charlaine Harris, to share some more of my thoughts.

I prefer Sookie to Twilight. There, I've said it! (With apologies to my daughter, who is horrified at the thought of "those random, cape-wearing, fanged vampires". She likes the sparkly, gentlemanly ones better!) In fact, I think one of the main reasons that I like Sookie better is because I like the sensual, pleasure-seeking, only-out-at-night vampires in Sookie's world. To me, they're more compatible with vampire lore than Stephenie Meyer's creations.

I also really enjoyed the murder mystery aspect of Dead Until Dark. I enjoy an amateur detective as much as the next person, and love a page-turning thriller! As the body count rose, I really wanted Sookie to use her gift to solve the mystery.

There are some obvious similarities between the Twilight saga and Sookie. Vampires, mind-reading, shape-shifters...and that's just in the first book! While reading Twilight, I felt transported back to my teenage years, but Sookie I can enjoy just as I am!

I'm trying to visit everyone's posts and leave comments. With thanks to Beth at Beth Fish Reads for creating this challenge!

What I'm Reading and Other Assorted Stuff

Currently reading: The Sugar Queen by Sarah Addison Allen.

You will notice that this book appears on my "Must Read" list on the right hand sidebar of the page, along with a link to the review that inspired me to try it. When I'm finished I intend to write my own review.

So far, I'm really enjoying it. It's had a lot to live up to, reading it as I am directly after Dead Until Dawn by Charlaine Harris. A hard act to follow! It is quite different to Dead Until Dawn, its similarities being the magical elements and the lonely heroine.

Here's a quick snapshot that will warm the heart of any book-loving girl:

"She couldn't believe this was happening. She'd just kicked Jake out after he'd admitted he'd cheated on her.

Dazed, she turned around...and tripped over a book on the floor.

She looked down at it and sighed. She'd half expected this. Whether she liked it or not, books always appeared when she needed them."

Cool, huh?

On the "To Be Read" pile: the host by Stephenie Meyer

This was ready to pick up from my local library on Monday. Again, this is one of the books on my "Must Read" list. You can check out the link to read the review that convinced me to give this a go.

On reserve at my local library: Living Dead in Dallas by Charlaine Harris

I can't wait for this one to become available! Dead Until Dark was such rollicking good fun that I'm hanging out to get my teeth into the next instalment!

So...now onto the other assorted stuff...

Alana (my 11 year old daughter) has just been offered a place at a prestigous selective high school for next year. It's a great opportunity for her, but she's not so sure that she wants to accept the place. At the moment a high school is being built within our very own suburb, only a 20 minute walk away from home. It's due to open for the start of next year, and all Alana's friends are looking forward to going there together. They will be the first group from her primary school that will be able to stay together and go to their very own high school, instead of splitting up and travelling to schools further afield. It makes it a tough decision for Alana. Wish us luck!

My last uni assignment for this semester is "in the mail" as they say. After my disastrous result last time, I'm just going to be super happy to pass!

I'm trying to find a vacancy at a caravan park for my family to take a week away over the Christmas/New Year break. Everything is already booked solid! I'll keep trying...

I bought my sister a copy of the Lost in Austen 2 disc DVD for her birthday. I'm very much hoping we can watch it together sometime, then I can count it towards the Everything Austen challenge!

Why we love Sookie...and other matters.

I have finished reading Dead Until Dawn by Charlaine Harris, the first in the "Southern Vampires" series. They are the books on which the HBO series True Blood was based, and I'm reading them as part of the Sookie Stackhouse Reading Challenge, hosted by Beth at Beth Fish Reads. Check out the details of the challenge here.

I loved it! I have already recommended it to my mother-in-law and sister-in-law, and had a fabulous chat about it with my hairdresser while she was colouring and cutting my hair today. She watched the first series of True Blood on TV. (I missed it because it was on quite late at night here in Australia and I need my sleep. I know, I could have recorded it to watch later, but I've given that up because the unwatched shows were piling up and I never got around to watching them.) We compared notes between the first book and the first series, found some differences, but essentially decided that they seemed to cover similar ground. She was very excited to hear that there are 8 more books in the series. "Ooooh, so there's still a lot more to it!" she crowed with glee.

My American friends will have to let me know if the second series follows the second book, and so on...

Today I'm going to write about why I think we all love Sookie so much.

1. She's special.

Stories in which the main character has a special gift or destiny always do well. I think we all like to imagine that underneath our ordinary exterior there lies unique magic that destines us to greatness! Think Harry Potter, Bella Swan...

2. She's been through hardship.

This makes her tougher in some ways. She's had to be tough to get through life. But it also makes her compassionate, and vulnerable.

3. She's good, but not perfect.

Sookie is a good person. She's helpful, honest, loyal and hardworking. But she's human, not perfect.

I'm looking forward to the official start of the challenge, so I can begin to read what others are writing about Sookie. Reading a good book can only be made better by talking about with others who have shared the experience!

In other news, I noticed today that the uni website has details of readings and assignments for second semester up already. So if I wanted to, I could get started on the work...oh goody...not.

Challenges, challenges.

I can't help it! I can't resist! I'm signing up for another blog related challenge!

This one is the "Everything Austen" challenge, hosted by Stephanie at Stephanie's Written Word. If you'd like to enter, find out the rules, or just check it out, then click here.

The idea is to experience 6 Austen-related books, movies etc and blog about what you have read/watched. Too tempting for me to resist! I love Austen's books so I would really enjoy re-reading any or all of them. But since this is a challenge, I'd like to branch out a bit!

Stephanie has a helpful list of possible choices, and from them I think I'd like to experience:

Pride, Prejudice and Zombies by Sean Grahame-Smith

Confessions of a Jane Austen Addict by Laura Viera Rigler

and Rude Awakenings of a Jane Austen Addict by Laura Viera Rigler.

I'm not sure yet what my other 3 choices will be.

In other challenge related news, I'm about halfway through Dead Until Dark by Charlaine Harris, my first Sookie Stackhouse book in the Sookie Stackhouse Reading Challenge.

I don't want to say too much here but...I'm loving it!

What I'm Reading

Currently reading: Waiting to Surface by Emily Listfield
I picked this up at the library on the strength of this blurb:

"...Detective Ronald Brook, speaking softly and deliberately, tells Sarah that her husband has vanished...A noted sculptor, Todd Larkin went swimming at midnight off the coast of Florida and hasn't returned. He was staying with a woman. He was drinking. He left behind his keys, wallet, cell phone, and his return airline ticket...there is no trace of him or his body...Has Todd run off to start a new life or is he dead? Could it have been an accident, suicide, or homicide?..."

I am nearly finished this and it is disappointing me. I'm just not into it! The character isn't real to me and the world created (inside the editorial department of a glossy women's mag) is too cliche for me. Not sure if I'll write a review.

On the "To Be Read" pile: Dead Until Dark by Charlaine Harris
This is the first in the Sookie Stackhouse Reading Challenge and I'm really looking forward to it!
You can join me in the challenge, just click here.

On reserve at my local library: Living Dead in Dallas by Charlaine Harris
You guessed it - the second book in the series!
The Host by Stephenie Meyer
I wasn't sure about this one, but a couple of reviews have convinced me to give it a go.
The Sugar Queen by Sarah Addison Allen
This is another book that a blog review has convinced me to try.

What are you reading?

Meeting Sookie

Welcome to my first post in the Sookie Stackhouse Reading Challenge!

I have joined a challenge hosted by Beth Fish Reads which requires me to read all the books in Charlaine Harris' Southern Vampires series within the next year. Piece of cake!

The books are:

Dead Until Dark

Living Dead in Dallas

Club Dead

Dead to the World

Dead as a Doornail

Definitely Dead

All Together Dead

From Dead to Worse

Dead and Gone

The titles make me chuckle :) I wonder if Charlaine is having trouble coming up with phrases containing the word dead?

A little trip to Borders has netted me a copy of Dead Until Dark at 30% off (they are so cunning emailing me discount vouchers every week!). I did see the box set of the first 7 books, but at $120 it was out of my price range! I really like the cover art on the box set, it is whimsical and quirky; instead I have what I assume is an image from the HBO series True Blood.

I have been very restrained, and haven't started reading yet because I'm still part way through another book which I want to finish first. How's that for self-control!

I did have a little peek at the first page, just to get a feel for it (!), and I could tell right away that I am going to love Sookie! She has a hint of sarcasm in her voice, and does a little dance step of joy when she realises that her very own vampire has just walked into the bar! She has me intrigued!

If you'd like to join the challenge click here.